cultivated consideration

Fall 2018 Menswear

Fall 2018 menswear is all about corduroy, rollneck tops, and hiker chic.

I always chuckle when fashion marketers try their hardest to repackage the same set of themes and trends anew each season. Year after year, fall and winter require more layers of warmth, and in the spring and summer, we embrace better weather, brighter colors, and things like shorts.

The seasonal cycle has never changed, and yet for the sake of the economy, designers, brands, and retailers must introduce with fresh enthusiasm the amazing sweaters of this season.

In reality, the coats, jackets, cardigans, and pullovers from years past will all work just fine, given they weren’t too trendy then and still look polished and fit well. I went for years without a proper cold weather wardrobe, but caught myself up living in Italy, surrounded by good quality and classic shapes.

So while there’s nothing really new, there are some themes I’m enjoying this season that are perennial to the fall and winter, but stand out as relatively fresh and novel. Plus, one that is truly different.

Corduroy

Sandro Hester Corduroy Jacket in Marine at Bloomingdale’s San Francisco

I have always liked the fabric. It’s plush, inherently warm, and adds texture but isn’t completely void of luster. Essentially a ribbed form of velvet, but mostly made from 100% cotton rather than synthetics.

As technical fabrics, performance wear, and futuristic styles are trending, this material is a classic sartorial throwback. It’s best worn on crisp fall days or at home when the weather turns. Just be sure it’s not rumply or wrinkled. That will kill the elegant feel.

Rollneck Tops

Lemaire Funnel-Neck Cotton Jersey Top FW18

Also known as turtlenecks. Who needs a scarf when you’ve got a cozy little cowl neck protecting your gola?

I like that the rollneck tops this season aren’t too bulky, because they’re added onto t-shirts or made from fine, slimmed-down knits. Wear these as a base layer to almost any ensemble or under any outerwear.

Hiker Chic

Buttero hiker boots at Farfetch

For most of us, hiking outdoors isn’t a daily pleasure, but one we have to plan and travel to access, as city dwellers. But that doesn’t mean you can’t werk that lewk with hiking-inspired (and hiking-appropriate if it comes to that) pieces.

I especially like the rugged footwear that says “I’m nearly a lumberjack!” that will doubly suit the cold, wet, snowy conditions of urban streets and keep those feet dry and warm.

A ridged sole and ankle covering are key to the hiker chic footwear look. And I would avoid suede if your fall and winter are particularly wet.

Wildcard: Firefighter Inspo

CALVIN KLEIN 205W39NYC Twill Firefighter Coat at Barneys

Calvin Klein (no longer eponymous, now designed by Raf Simons) did it first, and a handful of others have rapidly coopted this strange trend.

As a lifelong lover of firetrucks, I am drawn to the look, but ultimately imagine it (a) is hard to match with much of anything, except of course for the coordinating trousers and boots, and (b) won’t age well. Plus, it’s massively expensive, and thus a fleeting trend few will buy into anyway.

From Raf/CK, there’s also a jumpsuit (Farfetch) and light brown (vs. black) version of the coat (Lane Crawford). I do like the details, however unwearable they may be.

My recommendation, as always, is to buy the best quality you can afford, and keep garments for more than a season or two. Take care of them, but wear and enjoy them. Given a finite budget, choose one or two “trends” you love, that mesh well with what you already have, and then go for it!